The maiden edition of the Universal Premier League Awards saw newly-signed Accra Hearts of Oak midfielder Gladson Awako and Northern Ladies Jafar Ramaha adjudged winners of the male and female footballer of the season for the 2020/2021 season.
The event, held in Accra on Saturday, also saw Coach Annor Walker of Accra Great Olympics emerge as the coach of the season, beating off Samuel Boadu of Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko’s Mariano Barreto respectively.
In the female category, Barikisu Salifu won the best referee; Hasaacas Ladies Doris Boaduwaa also went home with the best forward award.
The best goal went to Jane Ayieyam of Police Ladies; Grace Animah emerged as the best midfielder and the best goalkeeper went to Abigail Tawiah of Berry Ladies.
Treble-winning Coach Yussif Basigi of Hasaacas Ladies scooped the best coach award and the best defender went to Police Ladies Beatrice Sasu.
The male category was well dominated by Hearts of Oak players as the best lateral defender went to Congolese international Raddy Ovouka; Kwadwo Obeng Jnr was adjudged the best forward and Richard Attah was named the best goalkeeper.
Forward Daniel Barnieh Afriyie grabbed the discovery of the season and ever-present Benjamin Afutu Kotey bagged the best midfielder on the night.
Other awards in the male category saw Medeama SC Rashid Nortey named the best attacking midfielder while Eleven Wonders Rashid Mohammed also emerged the best defender.
Elmina Sharks James Bissue won the goal of the season – a goal that made waves across international platforms with Selorm Yao Bless dancing home as the best male referee.
Other awards celebrated included the best photographer which went to Samuel Boakye Buckman of Dada Oliseh Photos; Ghana Premier League winners Hearts of Oak won the best supporting club and Gh One’s newscaster Serwah Amihere Asante won the best celebrity.
All the winners were presented with plaques, medals and a ball each from Macron.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
